SDP Presidential Ticket: Donald Duke Set To Fight Back

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Donald Duke.

Donald Duke says he would appeal the judgement that sacked him as the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party.

Donald Duke, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, (SDP) will not resign to fate as he has confirmed that he would surely appeal the judgement that removed him as the party’s presidential flag bearer.

Duke had been declared the presidential candidate of the party after the primary election held in October 2018 in which Gana was also an aspirant.

However, Gana had instituted a case against the result in court, basing his case on the zoning and rotation formula of the party.

Giving his ruling, Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf said: “In this instance, the party’s Chairman, Olu Falae, is from the South and Duke is from the South too; the law is clear; there is nothing to write in-between.

“The law has crystallised that political parties should abide by the regulations which they have made by themselves.

“The claimant laid sufficient evidence to have the judgement in his favour; it is a clear violation of the party’s constitution; the court cannot wave right over illegality".

Duke’s votes were declared null and void and the judge declared that Gana was the winner of the election.

The SDP was also ordered to forward Gana’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) as its candidate for the 2019 general election.